…As Fayemi launches State Education Program Investment Project
The Ekiti State education sector on Thursday received a boost of $10 million as international development partner, the World Bank , announced that the fund is the first tranche of payment to support the State Education Programme Investment Project(SEPIP).
The State Government is expecting support from the Bank to the tune of $50 million.
Speaking at the launch of the project in Ado Ekiti, the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi stated that the objectives of the projects are consistent and well aligned with the 8 point agenda of his administration which is set on transforming education and attaining the Millennium Development Goal on Education in the State.
Fayemi who stressed that education and human capital development is central to the mission of the present administration and has made remarkable progress to enable access to free and compulsory education for residents of the State up to Senior Secondary School level, place a computer on the desk of every student by 2014, establish an Institute of Science and Technology, and create a State Sports Academy for gifted youths.
The Governor explained that the goal of SEPIP is to improve the academic performance of students as well as enhance the outcomes of teaching and learning.
While expressing gratitude to development partners in the State, Fayemi enjoined all drivers of the project to ensure that all hands are on deck for Ekiti to benefit maximally from SEPIP’s interventions.
“Every key player and stakeholder must ensure that the targets set for the State on the identified Disbursement Linked Indicators are accomplished within the stipulated time frame, and in strict compliance with the guidelines to ensure that our State continues to receive the necessary support from the World Bank. As we are all aware, the funding for this project is result-based , therefore we must keep striving hard to have results to show the World Bank at all times”, he stated.
Earlier, the World Bank country Director, Mrs Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly said the Bank was attracted to Ekiti having met necessary conditions that qualify it for the grant.
Marie-Nelly who was represented by an Education specialist in the Bank, Prof. Tunde Adekola added that the first payment would be released to the State in December.
The country director explained that the project will focus on areas of need covering inadequate teachers in rural areas and students assessment in relation to schools management.
She asserted that the development partner is poised to work with Ekiti to improve the quality of education system, school governance and ensure that resources are delivered to schools while assistance would also be given to ensure that all technical colleges get accreditation and provide self reliant graduates.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Kehinde Ojo said government has approved 10 percent rural teaching allowance as incentive for teachers who are in rural areas while provision is being made for the procurement of 70,000 laptops in the 2014 budget for distribution to students in the State.
Last modified: November 22, 2013